The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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were putting quality at-bats together every single game, getting to bull- pens early." Cronenworth led the way, Bakich noted. A player his teammates call a "diamond rat" for his relentless work ethic came up biggest when his team needed him most. "That weekend he had was a tes- tament to a kid who's worked ex- tremely hard in three years at Michi- gan and a kid who has great ability," Bakich said. "The type of player, worker and person he is, it was good to see everything falling into place." Cronenworth has etched his name in the U-M record books, finishing second in career saves (27) and tied for 13th in career hits (211). Obtain- ing his degree will be one of the pri- mary goals he hopes to accomplish in the offseason, whether it's online classes or coming back to Ann Arbor. "Michigan is such a great mixture of tremendous athletics and a world class education," he said. "I didn't really know much about it before I went there, other than my dad got his Masters at the Business School — he knew what it was about. He con- vinced me it was the best scenario for me athletically and school-wise, and it was the best decision I've made in my life." ❏ record in the 200-yard butterfly in 2014) and seven Big Ten crowns, and is an 11- time NCAA All-American. He's also a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. 3. Adam Coon, wrestling — The sophomore became an NCAA All-American when he claimed second place at the National Championships in March with a 4-1 record, falling to defending national champion Nick Gwiazdowski of NC State, 7-6, in the heavyweight championship. The Academic All-Big Ten selec- tion got there thanks to an overtime scramble with one second remaining that defeated Northwestern's No. 3-ranked Mike McMullan in the semifinals. Coon also claimed third-place at the Big Ten Championships with a 3-1 record. 4. Carmen Benedetti, baseball — A National Collegiate Baseball Writers' Association first-team All-American and an All-Big Ten first-team selection, Benedetti hit .352 with 25 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 71 RBI. He finished with a .541 slugging and a .418 on-base percentage, and ranked fourth in the nation for RBI and sixth in doubles, while leading the Big Ten in both categories. The sophomore also was second in the league for batting average and fifth in hits and slugging percentage. His 25 doubles and 71 RBI rank second all-time in a single season at Michigan. He also pitched, finishing with a 1.84 ERA and three saves in 18 appearances. 5. Mason Ferlic, cross country/track and field — The redshirt junior co- captain became a three-time U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association All-American with his 2014-15 outdoor selection (second-team honors in the 3,000-meter steeplechase). He's a two-time Big Ten champion (2015, indoor, 5,000-meter run; outdoor, 3,000-meter steeplechase) and an All- Big Ten first-team selection (2015, indoor).